An opinion piece published by Robert Reich for The Guardian on Sunday argues that recent developments in the war on Iran reflect a broader pattern in how opponents can counter US President Donald Trump’s approach to power.
The article frames the latest battles around the Strait of Hormuz as a turning point. According to the piece, an Iranian official had indicated the vital shipping route could be reopened for a limited period if Washington halted its bombardment campaign. Shortly afterward, the United States ceased its strikes, a sequence the author interprets as evidence of Tehran successfully exerting pressure.
Reich contends that this outcome effectively returned the situation to “the status quo before Trump began his war,” while leaving Iran with increased leverage. By maintaining the ability to threaten closure of the Strait, Tehran can continue to influence global energy markets and, by extension, political dynamics within the United States.
The opinion piece characterizes the episode as a strategic setback for Trump, despite expectations that he would present it differently. It states that “Tuesday’s showdown was a clear victory for Iran and a clear defeat for Trump (although he’ll frame it as a victory),” reflecting the author’s view that perception and messaging remain central to Trump’s political strategy.
Trump Jiu-Jitsu Strategy
Beyond Iran, Reich situates the episode within a wider framework. He argues that various international actors, including China and Russia, as well as US allies such as Canada and Mexico, have adopted comparable tactics by leveraging economic or geopolitical dependencies rather than confronting Washington directly.
Domestically, the article points to legal challenges, civil lawsuits, and institutional resistance as parallel examples. Universities, law firms, and individuals have, in the author’s view, relied on courts, public opinion, and procedural mechanisms to counter executive pressure.
Reich describes this approach as a form of “jiujitsu,” writing that opponents “use Trump’s power against him, while allowing Trump to save face by claiming he’s won.” The strategy, he suggests, hinges on refusing to concede while applying indirect pressure that exploits political or economic vulnerabilities.
The piece also contrasts this with what it portrays as the consequences of compliance. Actors who yield to pressure, Reich argues, risk reinforcing Trump’s leverage and facing continued demands.
Concluding, the article presents what it calls a “clear blueprint” for dealing with Trump’s methods: rejecting imposed terms and mobilizing asymmetric tools, legal, economic, or political, to reshape the balance of power without direct confrontation.
Earlier today, Trump announced a major escalation, stating that the United States would begin blockading ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz following the collapse of talks with Iran, signaling a shift from de-escalation back toward direct military pressure on the critical global energy corridor.
Source:Websites
